The minute we entered <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.fr/?lang=en">Team Rhône-Alpes' modular Canopea House</a>, we were dazzled by its beautiful crown of soft dappled light, and it turns out we were not the only ones impressed by the spectacular design. The Canopea currently holds first place in this year's competition, boasting a cumulative score of <a href="http://monitoring.sdeurope.org/?lang=es">800.32</a>, with top honors in the coveted <a href="http://www.sdeurope.org/?page_id=6627&amp;lang=en">Architecture</a> and <a href="http://monitoring.sdeurope.org/index.php?action=scoring&amp;scoring=S6">Operations</a> prizes. Topped with a 10,7 kW array of photovoltaic panels that produce more than enough energy for both floors, this inviting green space also offers natural ventilation, a place to relax, and even a common laundry. Once the 2012 <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon/">Solar Decathlon Europe</a> competition is complete, the team from France have even bigger ambitions to create whole <a href="http://inhabitat.com/canopea-is-a-solar-powered-urban-habitat-with-a-vertical-farm-by-sde-2012-team-rhone-alpes/">"nanotowers" comprised of several Canopea homes</a>.

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

We were struck by the beautiful dappled light created by the Canopea's integrated photovoltaic array

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

The louvered facade provides natural light and ventilation

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

The house charges this tiny EV

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

This home responds to the weather... in this case, it's a warm and sunshiny day so everything is wide open

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

The skin provides additional solar protection and facilitates more ventilation

Notice the integrates solar panels? Not only do they provide energy for both levels (more than required) but it also creates shadow play

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

Notice how spacious this is.

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

The louvered facade can be adjusted depending on the solar/wind conditions on any given day

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

All of the mechanical equipment is organized at the back of the house

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

The canopy is reached by a metal staircase

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

The team huddles upstairs

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

A close-up shot of the EV being charged by the house

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Canopea by Team Rhône-Alpes

The minute we entered Team Rhône-Alpes' modular Canopea House, we were dazzled by its beautiful crown of soft dappled light, and it turns out we were not the only ones impressed by the spectacular design. The Canopea currently holds first place in this year's competition, boasting a cumulative score of 800.32, with top honors in the coveted Architecture and Operations prizes. Topped with a 10,7 kW array of photovoltaic panels that produce more than enough energy for both floors, this inviting green space also offers natural ventilation, a place to relax, and even a common laundry. Once the 2012 Solar Decathlon Europe competition is complete, the team from France have even bigger ambitions to create whole "nanotowers" comprised of several Canopea homes.